Variable stamp vending and money changing machine



March 14, 1961 K. c.zE1G| E ErAL i 2,974,772

VARIABLE STAMP VENDING AND MONEY CHANGING MACHINE Filed Feb. 13, 1956 6Sheecs-Sheei'l 1 f/ f2 f3 I f e I' lV llllllllllllllllllllllllllllIlIII(iHOP/V March 14, 1961 K C, ZEIGLE ETAL VARIABLE STAMP VENDING AND MONEYCHANGING MACHINE Filed Feb. 13, 195e e Vsheen-shew 2 H64 /66 /67/65 f6?/707/ /72 /73 4Z March 14, 1961 y K. c. ZEIGLE ETAI- 2,974,772

VARIABLE STAMP VENDING AND MONEY CHANGING MACHINE Filed Feb. 13, 1956 Y6 Sheets-Sheet 5 g55 6 fa v 'Lith/l f /A/l/E/V 0195 March 14, 1961 K. c.ZEIGLE ETAL 2,974,772

VARIABLE sIAMiD VENDING AND MONEY CHANGING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15, 195e ve sheets-sheet 4 March 14, 1961 K. c. zElGLE ETAL 2,974,772

VARIABLE STAMP VENDING AND MONEY CHANGING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledFeb. 13, 1956 64 97 QE V74 i: l /07 Iggy-LL [505 i 95 L 77 m t 752000a/MMV@ -March 14, 1961 Filed Feb. 13, 1956 K. C. ZEIGLE ETALVARIABLE STAMP VENDING AND MONEY CHANGING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6United States Patent lC VARIABLE STAlVlP VENDING AND MONEY CHANGINGMACHINE Kenneth C. Zegle and James C. Vance, Minneapolis, Paul J.Nieland, South St. Paul, .and Wilbum M. Bloomquist, Minneapolis, Minn.,assigucrs to Electric Vendors, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporationof Minnesota Filed Feb. 13, 1956, Ser. No. 565,021

6 Claims. (Cl. 194-2) This invention relates to vending machines, andmore specifically relates to such machines of the type for receivingcoins of various `denominations and for dispensing a variety of articlesat diierent prices.

An object of our invention is the provision of a new and improved coinoperated vending machine for dispensing, in desired quantities, avariety of articles which may be priced differently.

Another object of our invention is to provide a novel coin operated,article vending machine which is adapted tovreceive coins of variousdenominations and thereafter to be operated for dispensing larticles andchange in such quantities as to give full value for the coin received,and which machine forces the operator thereof to makev at least onepurchase before he may cause change to be dispensed after havinginserted a coin into the machine.

- Still another object of our invention is to provide a coin operatedvending machine which, upon receiptl of a coin therein, must rst beoperated to cause an article to be dispensed and thereafter may beoperated to cause change 4to be dispensed proportional in value to thedierence between the value of the coin inserted and the selling price ofthe article dispensed.

An additional object of our invention is to provide a new coin operatedvending machine which is readily and easily adjustable to permit theselling prices of the various articles vended thereby, to be changed.

-A further object of our `invention is to provide an improved coinoperated vending machine which registers credit therein in response toreceipt of a coin and subtracts credit therefrom when an article isvended, and which is readily and easily adjustable to change the amountof credit subtracted for each article vended when the prices of thearticles to be vended are changed.

A still further object of our invention is the provision of a novelmachine of the type having a plurality of manually operable controlswhich cause vending of articles of respective varieties when operated,and which are interconnected in controlling and controlled relations ina manner to permit dispensing of only a single variety of articles atany one time.

A still further vobject of our invention is to provide a new andimproved coin operated vending machine employing a plurality ofdial-type manual controls which are individually movable to causedispensing of a particular variety of articles and which areinterconnected in controlled and controlling relation in a manner topreclude, -after one of the manual controls has been operated,dispensing of articles due to the operation of another manual controluntil all of the manual controls have returned to their initial andnormal positions.

-In' addition, an object of our invention is the provision of animproved coin operated vending machine of the type which is manuallyoperable to cause a proper amount of change to be made and dispensedsubsequent to the insertion of a coin and the purchase of articles,which ymachine will dispense, without being manually ICC operated,change proportional to the credit registered in -the machine when thatcredit is insuflicient to cover the cost of the purchase of an article.

An additional object of our invention is to provide an improved coinoperated vending machine which is adapted to receive several dierentcoins and is adapted to vend desired numbers of diiierent stamps andwhich machine may be adjusted so as to take a toll from each sale ofstamps.

These and other objects and advantages of our invention will more fullyappear from theV following description Imade in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of the machine comprising the inventionshowing the control panel thereof;

iFig. 2 is a top plan View of the invention shown' in open condition andshowing the manner in which the operat ing mechanism is mounted;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of the inner operating mechanism of themachine shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation view of the inner operating mechanism of themachine shown in Fig. 2;

lFig. 5 is a detail section view taken on a vertical plane substantiallyat 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail front elevation view of a portion of themechanism shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a detail section view of a portion of the mechanism shown inFig. 6 and being taken along arcuate line 7-7;

Fig. 8 is a bottom detail plan view of one of the l dial manual controlsshown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a detail vertical section view taken on a plane substantiallyat 9--9 as shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail elevation view of a portion of themechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. `11 is a detail section view taken on a vertical planesubstantially at 11-11 in Figs. 4 and 10;

Fig. 12 is a greatly enlarged detail section view taken on asubstantially vertical plane as indicated at 12-12 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a portion of the mechanismshown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 14 is a complete schematic circuit diagram of the vending machine.

One embodiment of the present invention is shown in the figures. Itshould be noted that although the present invention is constructed toreceive and handle nickels, dimes and quarters, this fact is not meantto be limiting in the scope of the invention, and is only cited asexemplary of one form of the invention. Furthermore, the vending machineshown is adapted to dispense articles, which in the form disclosedconstitute postage stamps of various denominations and therefore ofvarious prices, two cents, three cents and six cents, in the form shown.The handling of postage stamps is described as exemplary of theinvention and is not meant to be limiting as to the scope of theinvention.

As best seen in Figs. 1. and 2, the invention includes a housing 40which constitutes a portion of the frame of the machine and which isformed in two sections swingably interconnected by means of a hinge 41.A rigid frame plate 42 is also swingably connected to hinge 41 and isprovided for the purpose of supporting substantially all of theoperating mechanism of the machine. The control panel 43 which ismounted in the front Iframe housing, has certain of the manual controlsmounted thereon, such as the ychange return button 44 and the coin slot45. Other of the manual controls for the machine such as dials 46, 47and 48 are carried on the supporting frame plate 42 and are insertedthrough suitable apertures provided in the control panel Y 3 43 intotheir normal operating position when the housing 40 is closed. The frontpanel 43 also has a plurality of lights mounted thereon such asindicator 5t) which lights up as soon as a coin has been inserted toindicate to the purchaser or operator of the machine that he may dialfor stamps, indicator 49 which indicates to the operator of the machinethat the change is exhausted and therefore the machine is inoperative,and indicators 51,52 and 53 which respectively indicate that stamps ofthe two cent, three cent and six cent denominations are exhausted in themachine and therefore stamps of the exhausted denomination cannot bepurchased. Y

Mechanism is provided in the vending machine for receiving the coinswhich are inserted through the coin slot 45 of the front panel. Suchmechanism includes a coin chute 54 which is carried by frame plate 42and positioned for communication with the slot 45 when the frame housing48 is closed. Coins are carried down the chute 54 into a coin sortingmechanism 55 which is not shown in detail 1out which is of aconventional type adapted to separate the nickels, dimes and quartersand cause the same to pass downwardly through respective chutes 56, 57and 58. Means are provided for rejecting of coins from the machine andback to the operator thereof through the coin return slot 59, after aninitial coin has been inserted into the machine to cause operationthereof and until full value is given for the initial coin inserted byvending stamps and by lreturning the proper change proportional to thedifference between value of the coin inserted and the value of thestamps vended. In the form shown, such means include a plurality of coinblocking fingers 60, 61 and 62 which are mounted on a suitable controlarm 63 which is secured to the shiftable armature 64 of a controlsolenoid EM01. The coin blocking lingers are disposed adjacent toapertures 65, 66 and 67 in the nickel, dirne and quarter coin Y chutesfor insertion into such chutes and thereby precluding passage'of coinsdownwardly to the lower end thereof. When the coin blocking ingers areinserted into the coin chutes, any Yc'oining passing downwardly througha chute will be deected and will be returned through the return chute 68which communicates with the coin return opening 59 in the front panel43. Normally the coin return solenoid is energized in order to keep thecoin blocking fingers 60, 61 and 62 out of the coin slots. As will beexplained in more detail hereinafter, coin return solenoid EMGI isdeenergized when a coin is received and passed 4 Y form shown, suchmeans include a pair of shiftable stops 80 and 81 and a pair of normallyfixed stops 82a and 82e. Stop 82a is engaged by the abutment 79 when thelatter is returned to its zero or normal position, and stop 82a istherefore adjustably mountedV on the mounting plate 73 by mounting bolts82b which extend through elongated apertures 82C in the stop element82a, Stop element 82a also carries a switch S08 which has a control arm82d which extends between the stop element 82a and the abutment 79. Arm82d will shift slightly vfrom stop 82a when released by abutment 79 foroperating the switch S08. The other stops 80, 81 and 82e are spaced fromeach other and spaced from the abutment 79 around the periphery ofregister wheel 75 at predetermined distances for the purpose of settingup proper credit in the machine when nickels, dimes and quartersrespectively are inserted into the vending machine. In the form of theinvention shown `in the drawings and in the positions of these stopsshown, stop 80 will limit the clockwise rotation of abutment 79 andregister wheel 75 to an arc proportional to the spacing of five ratchetteeth 78 when a nickel is inserted into the machine. In a like fashion,stops 81 and 82e limit the rotation of abutment 79 and register wheel 75to arcs proportional to the spacing of l0 and 25 ratchet teeth 78 when adime or quarter respectively is inserted into the machine. In order thata toll may be taken in a purchase of stamps, the rotation of registerwheel 75 may be restricted so that the credit set up is not equal tovthe value of the coin inserted. To so restrict the rotation of registerwheel 75 and abutment 79 the stops 80, 81 and 82e are adjustably.positionable relative to the register wheel 75 in -a manner hereinafterdescribed so as to cause stop 80 to limit the rotation of register wheel75 in response to the insertion 0f a nickle to rotate through an arcproportional to the spacing of four ratchet teeth 78, and in a likewisemanner to restrict rotation of register wheel 75 by means of stops 81and 82e to arcs proportional to the spacing of nine and twenty-fourratchet teeth 78 when a dime or quarter are respectively inserted intothe machine. Stops 80 and 81 consist of pins which are mounted forreciprocation on the frames of stop solenoids EMZ and EM03 respectively.Stops 80 and 81 are projectable by their respective stop solenoids intoand ou-t of abutting relation with respect to abutment 79. In ltheposition of stops 80and 81 shown, they are spaced from the abutment 79distances of tive and ten ratchet -teeth 78 respectively. `Stopsolenoids EM02 and BMGS are secured through one of the coin slots topreclude insertion of any subsequent coins into the machine by allowingthe fingers to shift into coin blocking position in the coin chutes.

Credit mechanism Credit mechanism is also provided in the machine forsetting up a credit therein proportional to the value of a coin receivedand against which the stamp costs are charged when purchased. Suchcredit mechanism is best shown in Figs. 6 and 10-12. A rotary shaft 69is journalled on bearings 70 which are carried on a suitable mounting71. Mounting 71 is aflixed, as by screws 72,

vto a mounting plate 73 which is atxed by suitable means such as bolts74 to the frame plate 42. A register gear or element 75 is iixed tomounting 76 which is keyed to shaft 69. The register gear 75 is providedwith an annular rim 77 which has a plurality of ratchet teeth 78 formedon the interior side thereof. The ratchet teeth 78 are regularly spacedand each of the teeth 78 is representative of one cent credit in themachine, as will be further explained hereinafter. As best seen in Fig.4 the register gear or wheel 75 is disposed on the rear side of framemounting plate 73. The register element 75 has an outstanding projectionor abutment 79 affixed on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

Stop Vmeans Vare provided for limiting the rotary movement of ratchetVwheel 75 and the abutment 79. ln the to the mounting plate 73 as bybolts 80a and 81a. A plurality of additional mounting holes 73a areprovided in the mounting plate 73 to permit the stop solenoids EM02 andEM03 and their corresponding stopsSl) and 81 respectively to be shiftedto other positions with respect to the zero position of abutment 79. Ifstop solenoid EM03 is shifted upwardly and mounted in the next abovemounting hole 73a, the stop 81 will restrict the rotation of registerwheel 75 and abutment 79 to an arc proportional to the spacing of nineratchet teeth rather than ten ratchet teeth as in the position shown. Atoll will thereby be taken because only nine cents credit is set up inthe machine instead of ten cents credit in response to the insertion ofa dime. Solenoid EMOZ and stop may be similarly adjusted to take a tollupon the insertion of a nickel in the machine. Stop 82e is provided withelongated slots or apertures 82jc for receiving mounting bolts 82gtherethrough. Stop 82e is thereby adjustably positionable on themounting plate 73 and with respect to the zero position of abutment 79.Stop 82e may be shifted -to the right as viewed in Fig. 6 a distanceproportional tothe arcuate spacing of vone ratchet toothV 78 and therebyrestrict the rotation of register Wheel 75 and abutment 79 to an arcproportional to the spacing of twenty-four ratchet teeth 78 toaccomplish the taking of a toll upon receiving of a quarter in themachine. .As a result only` twenty-four cen/tsr* credit be set up inIthe machine in response to receipt of the twenty-tive cent coin.

The stop solenoids EM02 and EM03 are provided with control switches S05and S06 respectively mounted on the frames thereof. Switches S05 and S06have actuating arms which are connected with the respective solenoidarmatures. Switches S05 and S06 are adjusted to operate when thecorresponding stop elements 80 and 81 of the respective solenoids areshifted into abutting relation with respect to abutment 79. That is,when stop element 80 has been shifted into abutting relation, switch S05will operate.

A register gear release pawl 85 is swingably mounted on pivot 86 and ispositioned for engaging'ratchet teeth 78 and normally precludingclockwise rotation of the register wheel 75. Pawl 85 may be biased bysuitable means such ras a coil spring 87 `into position for normallyengaging teeth 78. Pawl 85 is controlled and operated by the registergear release pawl solenoid EM04 which is mounted on plate 73 and has ashiftable armature or clapper 88 positioned for moving the upstandingcontrol nger 89 of pawl 85 into the dotted position thereof forreleasing the register wheel 75. Solenoid EM04 will be energized eachtime a coin is'inserted into the machine to shift pawl 85 out ofengagement with the ratchet teeth 78 to thereby permit turning of theregister wheel 75. A switch S07 is mounted on the frame of the releasepawl solenoid EM04. The contacts of the switch S07 are controlled by anarm 88a which is atlixed to the clapper 88 and is shiftable therewithabout pivot 88b. Switch S07 is positioned so that the contacts thereofwill close after release pawl 85 has been shifted out of engagingrelation with the ratchet teeth 78.

The credit mechanism also includes power means for drivably rotating theratchet or register wheel 75. In the form shown, such means include asprocket 89 which is aiixed to shaft 69 for rotation therewith, and agear segment 90 which is meshed with pinion gear 89. The gear segment90, in the form shown, is formed integrally of a mounting arm 91 whichis pivoted at 92 on a suitable lug 93 which is aixed to a stationarymounting 94. The stationary mounting 94 is ailxed to the mounting 71 asby screws 95. A register credit solenoid EM05 is suitably mounted on abracket 96 which is affixed to the frame plate 42. The shiftablearmature 97 of register credit solenoid EM05 is pivotally connected to aconnecting link 98 which is in turn swingably connected at 99 to themounting arm 91 of gear segment 90. Solenoid EM05 is energized, when acoin is received into the machine, moving its armature 97 inwardly andcausing rotation of shaft 69 and register wheel 75 in a clockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 6. The solenoid EM05 positively drives theregister wheel 75 until it is positively stopped by one of the stopelements 80, 81 or 82.

The credit mechanism also includes rotary switch means which detects thequantity of credit in the machine for the purpose of determining whetheror not stamps of the various denominations should be dispensed and whatamount of change may be refunded. In the form shown, such switch meansincludes a rotary printed circuit plate which is indicated in general bynumeral 100 and which is best seen in Figs. l0, 1l and 12. Plate or disc100 is substantially circular in configuration and is nonrotatablyaffixed to a rotary mounting 101 which is keyed to shaft 69. Mounting101 may be constructed of a plastic insulative material and may bemounted around a central opening defining portion of plate 101. Therotary printed circuit plate =100 is formed, in the disclosed embodimentof a metallic conductor plate 102 which has an insulative lamination103, which may be constructed of a suitable synthetic or fiber, aflixedthereto. The ber lamination 103 has a plurality of arcuate conductorsegments 104 formed therein which engage the conducting plate 102 inconducting relation and which are exposed through the outer surface ofthe lamination 103 to be engaged by suitable conductors. A contactmounting plate 105 which may be constructed of insulative material isaiixed to the frame mounting plate 73 by suitable mounting posts 106 andscrews 107. The contact mounting plate 1 05 is provided with a circularcentral opening 108 slightly larger than the diameter of the disc 100and is disposed substantially in the plane of said printed circuit disc.A plurality of conductor fingers 109 are Xed to the contact mountingplate 105 at spaced positions around the periphery of plate 100 and theiingers 109, in the form shown, extend generally radially toward shaft69. As best seen in Fig. 12 each of the fingers 109 has a contactelement 110 disposed on the inner end thereof for engaging one of theconductor segments 104 of the plate 100. The plate 100 and the contactlingers 109 cooperatively form a plurality of control switches S09-S19as seen in the circuit diagram, Fig. 14. The operation of these switcheswill be more fully described hereinafter. It should be noted that theseswitches S09- S19 are closed and opened dependent upon the rotaryposition of the printed circuit plate 100, the rotation of which isco-ordinated with the rotation of register wheel 75. It should be notedthat a plurality of additional mounting apertures 105:1 are providedadjacent certain of the mounting fingers which are designated 109:1 topermit these lingers to be arcuately adjusted about plate 100. Thesecontact lingers 109a are the contacts for the switches S09, S10 and S11and are adjustable for purposes hereinafter described.

Stamp dispensing mechanism The vending machine is provided withcontrollable dispensing mechanism which is best seen in Figs. 3, 8 and9. In the disclosed embodiment three denominations of stamps may bevended and therefore three vending mechanisms, indicated in general bynumerals 111, 112 and 113 are provided, all of which are substantiallyidentical. The dispensers 111-113 are suitably mounted by means ofbrackets 114 on the front side of frame plate 42 and are so positionedthat the stamp dispensing openings 115, 116 and 117 thereof are alignedwith the stamp dispensing slots 118, 119 and 120 in the control panel 43when the frame housing 40 is closed and in operative condition. Only oneof the dispensers, 112, is shown in detail in Fig. 9 and anunderstanding thereof will suflice for an understanding of all of thedispensers. Dispenser 112 is provided with a roll mounting bracket 121which has a spindle 122 upon which is mounteda roll of stamps 123. Arotary stamp guide 124 is also provided and a stamp metering andejection mechanism, indicated in general by numeral 125 is provided forcontrolling the output of stamps through the ejection slot 116. Thestamp metering and ejection mechanism 125 is not shown y in minutedetail, but is substantially identical to that mechanism shown in PatentNo. 2,878,014, issued March 17, 1959. The rotary stamp driving wheel 126is operated by dispensing solenoid EM21 and is connected to the armaturethereof by means of a control arm 127. A spring 127a is provided forshifting the arm 127 and solenoid armature back to their normalposition. The solenoid EM21 is energized and de-energized for each stampthat is to be vended, and as pointed out hereinafter, will be suppliedwith pulses of electric current to cause a plurality of stamps to bedispensed. The stamp driving wheel 126 is provided with an annulargroove 128 over which the stamps lie. Means are provided for detectingthe presence of stamps and in the'form shown "7 `stamps are present inthe respective dispensers. Therefore, when the vending machine is loadedwith stamps .and is in operative condition, switches S30, S31 and S32nwill be in their shifted position relative to that shown in Fig. 14.

Control mechanism is provided for operating each of the dispensers andin the form shown, such control means include the dials 46, 47 and48'Which are associated with .the dispensers 111, 112 and 113respectively for operating the same. The dials 46, 47 and 48 aresubstantially identical in construction and operation andare ofV aconventional type common to use in telephones. A detail of dial 47 isshown in Fig. 8 to show the switching arrangement thereof. Dial 47 isprovided with a central shaft 130 which is aixed to the apertured andnger operated control plate 131. A collar 132 is axed to shaft 130 andhas a control cam 133 athxed thereto. A pair of similar switches D21 andD2-2 are mounted on .the frame adjacent the cam 133 for operationthereby. Switches D2-1 and D2-2 are of `a common variety generally knownas C type stacks. Each of these switches has a center movable Contactleaf 134 and a pair of stationary contact leaves 135 and 136 disposed onopposite sides thereof. Each of the stationary leaves 135 and 136 isprovided with an enlarged opening therethrough. A cam following lug 137is secured on movable leaf 134 of switch D2-1 and extends through theaperture in Ileaf 136 and engages the cam element 133. The control llug138 is secured on the movable leaf of the other switch D2-2 and engagesthe movable leaf 134 to be operated therewith. Normally the movableleaves 41F34 `are resiliently urged to the left and the cam 133 operatesto urge them to the right, as shown. When the .tapertured finger controlplate 131 is moved from its normal position cam 133 shifts in thedirection of arrow X to cause shifting of the 4movable contact leaves ofthe switches.

The dial mechanism is also provided with a conventional pulsing orinterrupter switch D2 which is operated by a rotary cam 139. The dialmechanism is constructed ,and arranged to rotate the cam 139 in thedirection of arrow Y after the finger control plate 131 is initiallymoved and then released. The speed of rotation of cam 139 is controlledby a governor mechanism 140 which is connected thereto through gears141. The construction and operation of pulsing or interrupting switch D2is substantially identical to switches D1 and D3 which are respectivelyassociated with dials 46 and 48 and with dispensers 111 and 113. Theconstruction and operation of switches D2-1 and D2-2 are substantiallyidentical to D3-1 and D3-2, and D1-1 and D1-2 which are respectivelymounted for operation by dials 46 and 48.

The pulsing or interrupting switches D1, D2 and D3 operate when thedials are operated to provide pulses of current to the dispensingsolenoids EMZG, EM21 and EM22 respectively. Switches D2-1 and D2- andthe corresponding switches associated with the other dials providecontrol of the dial interlocking mechanisms which will be furtherdescribed hereinafter and which, in general, preclude, after a. singledispenser has started to operate, operation of any of the otherdispensers until all of the dials have returned to their rest or totheir normal positions.

Credit subtracting mechanism Means are provided for subtracting creditfrom the credit mechanism when stamps are vended and in proportion tothe value of such stamps, and also for removing the credit from thecredit mechanism when change is returned to the stamp purchaser after hehas completed his purchasing operation. Such means are best seen inFigs. 4, 6 and 1l. A drive element or pawl 142 is mounted on a controlarm 143 and is normally spaced from the ratchet teeth 78 of registerwheel 75 and is movable into engagement therewith for driving theregister wheel 75 .ia a .counter-clockwise direction. Mounting arm 143is s swingably connected by pivot 144 to -a rotary control arm 145 whichis rotatably mounted on shaft 69 for rotary movement relative thereto.The armature 146 of the subtract pawl solenoid EM09 is swingablyconnected as by pivot 148 to the rotary control arm 145. Subtract pawlsolenoid EM09 is aixed to plate 73. A tension spring 149 is connected tosolenoid EM09 at one end and is connected at the other end to thecontrol arm 145. EM09 is energized each Vtime a stamp is dispensed tocause counterclockwise movement of pawl 142 which drives the registerwheel in a counter-clockwise direction. When the solenoid EM09 isde-energized, spring 149 returns the arm to the normal position shown.Control arm 143 is provided with a depending stop member 150 whichextends into the central guide slot 151 of guide block 152. A stop pin150a is carried in a suitable aperture in mounting block 152 andtraverses the slot 151 therein. When control arm 143 is in its normal orrest position, stop member 150 engages the pin 150:1 to urge the controlarm 143` and pawl 142 is a counterclockwise direction with respect topivot 144. Pawl 142 is thereby raised out of the ratchet teeth 78 ofregister wheel 75. Another coil spring 143a is connected to the controlarm 143 adjacent pawl- 142 and also to the lower end of rotary arm 145to urge the pawl 142 downwardly into the ratchet teeth 78 when rotarycontrol arm 145 is shifted by movement of the armature 146 of solenoidEM09. Therefore, when solenoid EM69 is energized, pawl 142 will swingdownwardly into engagement with the ratchet teeth 78 and will thenrotate the register wheel 75 in a counter-clockwise direction.

The credit subtracting mechanism is provided with means for limiting themovement of pawl 142 according to the denomination of stamp vended. If a2 stamp is vended, pawl 142 is shifted through an arc equal to thespacing of two ratchet teeth 78, and in a like manner the pawl 142 andregister wheel 75 are shifted a distance of three notches when a threecent stamp is vended and a distance of six notches when a six cent stampis vended. Such control means include the stop member or arm 15) whichextends outwardly from the register Wheel 75. As best seen in Fig. l1,the stop arm 150 extends into an elongated guide opening or recess 151in a guide block or member .152 which is aixed to the mounting plate 73.The elongated guide opening 151 is arcuately formed to carry stop member150 through the arcuate path of movement thereof. Guide member 152 isprovided with a plurality of apertures 153 which extend transversely ofthe elongated opening 151 and which intersect said guide opening. Aplurality of abutment or engaging elements 154, `155 and 156 are carriedin spaced relation with each other and in various of the apertures 153.Each of the pins 154-156 are removable from the apertures 153 andadapted to be inserted into other of the apertures. Stop pin 156 willremain substantially stationary and will obstruct movement of the stopvarm 150 through the guide opening 151. Stop pins 15a and l156 are heldin their respective apertures by means of retaining elements 152a, whichare secured to block 152 as by bolts. Pins 154 and 155 are projectibleand retractable into and out of guide opening 151 and into and out ofobstruction relation relative to the movement of stop member 150.Actuating means are provided for controlling the operation of theprojectible and retractable abutment pins-154 and 155 and in the formshown, such means comprise solenoids EM07 and BMGS respectively. VBMGSis affixed on the front side of mounting panel 73 and the shiftablearmature or clapper 157 is adjustably secured to the pin 155 by meansofa mounting member or connecting member 158 which is'best seen in Fig.6. Abutment pin 155 is normally retracted out of the opening 151 byspring 159. Abutment pin 154 extends rearwardly through the mountingpanel 73 and is connected for projection and retraction to the armatureor clapper 15711 of solenoid -ENLJ by Ameans of a connector or mountingmember 160 `'which is substantially identical to member 158. As bestseen in Fig. 6 the mounting or connecting member 158 is connected to pin155 in such a manner that transverse movement of the mounting 158 willpermit substantially linear projection and retraction of the pin.Connecting plate 158 is provided with a pair of adjacent and upwardlyopening mounting slots 161 which are adapted to receive the diminishedneck portion 162 of pin 155. Pin 155 may be carried in a selected slot161 so as to be positioned for projection into a desired and selectedaperture 153 of the guide member 152. Connecting or mounting member 160is substantially identical to member 158 to permit selective positioningof abutment pin 154. When a six cent stamp is dispensed, the stop arm150 will be moved with pawl 142 until the same is engaged by thestationary abutment pin 156. If a three cent stamp is dispensed,solenoid EM08 is energized to shift abutment pin 155 into obstructingposition relative to the'stop arm y150 so as to permit movement of pawl142 a distance of three notches relative to ratchet teeth 78. Stopsolenoid EM07 is similarly energized to shift abutment pin 154 intoobstructing position when a two cent stamp is vended so as to permitmovement of pawl 142 only two notches. When more than one stamp isvended in the denominations of two cents or three cents, the respectivesolenoids EM07 or EM08 will operate a multiplicity of times, once foreach stamp vended.

As the register wheel 75 is intermittently shifted in acounter-clockwise direction by pawl 142 the printed circuit switch board100 also rotates to operate certain of the switches S09-S19 so as tokeep the credit mechanism apprised of the value of stamps vended andtherefore the credit remaining in the machine.

The subtracting mechanism also includes means for revolving the registerwheel 75 and the switch board 100 back to the normal position thereofafter stamps have been vended, and after change has been returned to thestamp purchaser, as will be hereinafter described. In the form shown,such means include a register reset solenoid EM06 which is mounted on asuitable bracket 163 and atiixed thereby to the mounting plate 42. Thearmature 164 of register reset solenoid EM06 is swingably connected to aconnecting link 165 which is also pivotally connected at 99 to the gearsegment 90. Solenoid EM06 is energized immediately `following thedispensing of coins in the change making operation to quickly return thewheel 75 and rotary switch board 100 to their normal positions.

Change mechanism Change making mechanism is provided in the vendingmachine for returning change to the operator of the machine after a coinhas been inserted and after stamps have been purchased so as to give thestamp purchaser full value for the coin inserted by him. As best seen inFigs. 4 and 5, the change making mechanism includes a v plurality ofcoin tubes 166-173 which are fixed in mounting sleeves 174-481, whichsleeves are aliixed to a bracket 182. The bracket plate 182 is aihxed toframe plate 42 and extends through an enlarged opening 183 therein.Bracket plate 182 has a plurality of coin ejecting mechanisms mountedthereon for selectively discharging coins and returning them throughchute 184, which extends downwardly and forwardly through the framepanel 42 to the coin return opening 59 in the control panel 43 of themachine. Such coin ejecting mechanisms include a plurality of operatingsolenoids EM12 to BM19, which are associated with coin tubes '166-173respectively. The construction and operation of each of the coinejectors is substantially identical with the exception that tubes 166-169 are adapted to hold pennies and tubes 170-173 are adapted to holdnickels. The operating mechanism associated with coin tube 171 andsolenoid EM17 is shown in Fig.v 5. EM17 is'iixed to bracket plate 182and has the armature 185 connected by a yoke -186 having a resilientdrive element 187 extending between the thereof to an upstandingconnecting arm or pose 188 which is in turn aixed to the stripper plate189. Post 188 extends through an elongated slot 190' in bracket plate182 and is thereby shiftable toward and away from coin tube 171.Stripper plate 189 is supported by guide plate 191 which is secured tothe bracket mounting plate 182 as by screws 192. A guide element 193 isslidable in an elongated opening 194 in guide plate 191 and is atiixedto the stripper plate 189. Stripper plate 189 has a circular opening 195therein which normally communicates with the lower end of coin tube 17,1and with the sleeve 179. The guide plate 191 normally holds a coin inthe stripper plate and precludes it from falling through. Guide plate191 is provided with a circular aperture 196 which is opposite :from thebottom of coin tube 171 and which is positioned to communicate incoinreceiving position with the opening 195 in stripper plate '189 whenthe same is shifted to the right as viewed in Fig. 5. The inner end ofguide plate 191 with the coinreceiving aperture 196 formed therein, isdisposed in communicating relation with the interior of coin returnchute 184. A return spring 197 is aixed at one end by lug 198 and screw192, to the guide plate 191, and is secured at the other end thereof toa depending arm 199 which is aixed at the inner end of stripper plateI189 and may be slidable through a suitable guide slot 200 in guideplate 191 adjacent the coin-receiving opening 196 there- Means areprovided for detecting the presence or absence of coins in the coin tubeand in the form shown,

. such means include a microswitch S24 having a feeler chine for settingup credit if switch S24, or any one of the other switches associatedwith the coin tubes, Vis opened. Means are provided for controlling theoperation of th change making mechanism and as hereinbefore pointed out,a manual control button or switch 44 is provided on the front controlpanel 43 for actuating the change mak- `ing mechanism. In addition, aswill be more particularly described in connection with the electricalcircuit, means are provided for precluding operation of any of thechange ejectors until credit has been set up and until at least onestamp has been purchased. It will be pointed out that an operableconnection is provided between the stamp dispensing mechanism and thechangev making mechanism to render the change making mechanism operableafter at least one stamphas been purchased.

Electric control system The electrical circuit of the vending machine isshown in Fig. 14 and may be generally divided into several portions, thecredit mechanism which is generally grouped at the upper left hand sideof the page, the change making mechanism which is grouped at the lowerleft hand portion of the page and in the upper central portion thereofand to a small degree in the upper right hand portion of the page, thestamp dispensers disposed in the lower central portion of the page, andthe stamp dispensing control mechanism disposed on the right hand sideof the page which also includes the dial interlocking circuitry. Bussesare numbered with the prex B; even numbered busses being connected toone side- .of the power source and odd numbered busses being connectedto the other side of the power source; relays are inumberedfwith theprefix K, relay contacts are preiixed'lzy the relay number and a hyphen;electric solenoids fare be rejected by the machine.

vis received into the machine.

certain'switches directly associated with the dial controls -areprefixed D; vand counters employing electric solenoids are numbered wihthe preiix CTR.

A source of power may be attached at 203 to be controlled by the manualswitch S01 which controls the energization of busses B1 and B2. The coinreturn sole- .noid EM01 is normally energized and is de-energized to-preclude reception of coins into the vending machine and to returncoins to the machine-operator. Solenoid EMM is connected to buss B2through switches S02, S03 and S04 in their normal positions and isconnected to buss B1 through relaycontacts K04-1, K21-1, K20-1, K01-2,K02-2, KOS-2 and one or more of K26-1, K29-1 and KS2-1.

The coin receiving mechanism is associated with switches S02, S03 andS04 which are physically disposed at the lower end ofthe nickel, dimeand quarter coin chutes 56, 57 and 58V respectively. When a coin isreceived one of these switches will be operated and will move to itsshifted position momentarily.

In ,general the credit mechanism includes relays K01, K02, K03, K04-L,KOS-L, EM02, EM03, EM04, K06,

K07, K08 and EM05. Relay K01 has four contacts,Y

K01-1 to K01-4. Relay K0?. has four contacts K021 to K02-4. Relay K03lhas three contacts K03-1 to K03-3. Relay K04 is of the latching typeemploying a pair of `relay coils including latching coil K04-L andunlatching or releasing coil K04-R and employing a conventionalmechanical latching mechanism operated by coil K04-L and released bycoil K04-R to shift the three contacts associated therewith K04-1 toK04-3. Relay K04 primarily controls the coin return solenoid EM01 whichcauses excess coins after the rst one received to Relay KOS is similarlyof the latching type employing a latching or locking coil K05-L andunlatching or releasing coil KOS-R and a mechanical locking mechanismoperated by these coils lto 'control the operation of the four contactsK05-1 to K054. Relay K05 primarily controls the change making vmechanismand precludes operation thereof until after credit has been set up andat least one stamp has been purchased. As previously pointed outsolenoid EM02 controls the live cent stop and thereby permits registerwheel 75 to turn only live notches when a nickel Solenoid EM02 has amicroswitch S05 of conventional style associated therewith to beoperated thereby during the last increment of movement of the armaturethereof. Solenoid EM03 controls the ten cent stop and also has amicroswitch S06 associated therewith and adjusted to operate With thelast incremental movement of the armature thereof.

ATSolenoid EM04 controls operation of the register gear release pawl 85and also has a rnicroswitch S07 asso- -ciated with the annature thereofto be operated upon "completion of movement hereof. vK06 is aconventional lthe initial turning of register wheel 75 and the printedcircuit switch board 100, for setting up credit in the machine.

Relay K01 is connected to buss B1 through contact KOS-1 and will beconnected to buss B2 through switch 'S02 when operated. K02 and K03 arealso connected to buss B1 through contact K0841 and are connected to 1buss B2 through'switches S03 and S04 respectively when thesameare'operated. Relay coils K04-Land KOS-L y1arte connected inAparalleland connected directlyfto'buss IB2-auidfareiconnectibleLtcxbussBllhroughzone or more' of 112 parallel contacts K26'1, `K-291 and K321,and one of contacts K01-2, K022 or K03-2 when operated.

lBuss B6 is connected to bus B2 by contact K04-2 when closed. 'SolenoidEM02 is connected directlyto buss B1 and is connectible with buss B6vthrough contact lK01-3 when operated. Solenoid YEM03 is-connecteddirectly to buss B1 :and is-iconnectible to buss B6 through contactK02-3 when operated. Solenoid EMO-4 is connected Ydirectly to buss B1and is connectible to buss B6 through one of 'three parallel circuits,contact K03-3, or series connected switch S06 and-contact K02-4, orseries connected switch S05 and contact K01-4. Relay K06 is lconnecteddirectly to buss B1 and is connectible to buss Bthrough either switchS07 or contact K22-1. Time delay relay K07 is connecteddirectly to bussB1 and is connectible to buss B6 through contact jK06-1 when operated.Relay K08 .is connected directly to buss B1 and is connectible to bussB6 through contact K07-1 when operated. Solenoid EM05 is-connected tobuss B1 through contacts K22-7 and K21-6 and is connected to buss B6through K06-2 when operated and contact KOS-2.

The credit mechanism also includes the switches S09 to S19 which areformed by the printed circuit switch board100. Switches S09, S10V andS11 control operation 'of the stamp dispensers 111, 112 and 113respectively to permit the same to operate when these switches areclosed. Switch S09 is closed, in the present form of the invention, Yfrom thetwo cent to the twenty five cent credit positions of theregister wheel S10 is closed from the three cent to twenty five centpositions; and S11 is closed through the six cent to twenty five centpositions. These switches thereby permit therrespective dispensers to beoperative if suiicient credit exists to cover the cost of one purchase.Switches S12 to S19 control operation of the coin ejectors in the changemaking mechanism and specifically control the operation of the coinejector solenoids of corresponding numbers EM12 to EM19 through theintermediate relays K12 to K19. Switches S12 to S19 are cumulativelyconstructed and arranged to render operable those coin ejector solenoidswhich are necessary to the discharging of coins totaling in value thecredit remaining in the machine as manifested by the position of theregister wheel 75. In other words, if a dime has been inserted and onethree cent stamp has'been purchased certain of the switches S12 to S19will be closed to render the corresponding coin ejector solenoidsoperable to permit one nickel and two pennies to be discharged; or if aquarter had been inserted and one six cent stamp had been purchasedcertain ofthe switches S12 to S19 would be closed `torender operablecoin ejector solenoids necessary for the discharge of three nickelsandfour pennies.

Relays yK09, K10 and-K11 are all connected directly to Y buss B1 and areconnectible .to buss B6 through switches S09, S10 and S11 respectively.Relay K09 has three contacts, K09-1'to K09-3; and K10 and K11 each haveone contact,fK.10-1 and K11-1 respectively. Relays K12 to K15which1control the-pennyejectors are all connectible .to buss B1 throughcontact -K22-2 when operated, and are connectible to buss B6 throughswitches S12 to S15 respectively whenfclosed. Relays K16 to K19, whichcontrol thenickel ejectors are all connectible to buss B1 .throughcontacts K22-3 and K063 when both are closed and are respectivelyconnectible to buss B6 through switches S16 to S19 when closed. RelaysK12 to K19 each have one 'contact K12-1 to K19-1 respectively. Coinejector solenoids EM12 to EM15 control the penny ejectors and eject thecoins when energized by shifting the corresponding stripper plate. Coinejector solenoids EM16 to EM19 similarly control .the nickel ejectors.Coin ejector solenoids EM12 to EM19 arey connected to buss B1 and arevrespectively connectible to buss B6 by contacts K12-1 through K19-1.

The coin detector'microswitches S22 to S29 are shown at the upper lright.in-the Vcircuit diagram -and S24 is 13 physically shown in Fig. 5.Normally the switches are closed, but with coins in the coin tubes theywill be opened. When any of these switches is closed due to lack ofcoins in a particular coin tube, the machine will reject all coinsinserted therein because coin return solenoid EM01 will be de-energized.Coin detector switches S22 to S29 control the operation of out-of-changerelay K20 which is connected at one side directly to buss B1 and isconnectible at the other side through one or more of the switches S22 toS29 and contact K20-2 to buss B2. Relay K20 has four contacts K20-1 toK20-4. When vrelay K20 is energized, transfer holding contact K20-2disconnects relay K2() from buss B2 and connects relay K20 to buss B4instead.

The stamp dispensing mechanisms 111, 112 and 113 are respectivelyoperated by dispenser solenoids EM20, EM21 and EM22 which are allconnected through terminals T1 of the respective dispensers directly tobuss B8 and which are also connectible through terminals T4 of therespective dispensers to buss B5 through contacts K24-2, K28-2 and K31-2respectively when operated. It will be remembered that each of thedispenser solenoids EM20 to EM22 cause a single stamp to be dispensedwhen operated once and that current pulses are applied thereto to causemultiple operation. Pulses of electric current are applied to buss B5from buss B1 by intermittent closing of contact K25-1. The stamp runoutv detector switches S30, S31 and S32 are shown in their normal position,when no stamps are present in the dispensers. When stamps are present inthe dispensers and the stamp runout switch feelers assume the physicalposition shown in Fig. 9, the switches will be shifted from thatposition shown in the circuit diagram to interconnect terminals 1 and 2of each of the dispensers. When any of these stamp runout switches isshifted back to normal position, the particular dispenser is renderedinoperative, and when all of the switches are shifted the vendingmachine is rendered inoperative and all coins inserted will be rejected.

Relay K25 is operated to cause intermittent energization of buss B5. K25is connected directly to buss B3 which is normally energized throughcontacts K21-5 and K22-6.v The other side of pulse relay K25 isconnectible to buss B8 through one of three circuits, the first beingdial interrupter switch D1 when operated, contacts K30-2, K27-2 andK09-2, terminal T2 of dispenser 111, S30 when shifted and terminal T1 ofdispenser 111; the second, including dial interrupter D2 when operated,contacts K30-4, K23-3 and K10-1 when operated, terminal T2 of dispenser112, S31 when shifted and terminal T1 of dispenser 112; and a thirdcircuit including dial interrupter D3 when operated, contacts K27-5,K23-5 and K11-1 when operated, terminal T2 of dispenser 113, switch S32when shifted and terminal T1 of dispenser 113. K25 has three contactsK25-1 to K25-3. Stamp runout detector switch S30 and contacts K09-2 areshunted by contact KS3-1 when operated. Stamp runout detector switch S31and contact K10-1 are shunted by contact K33-2 when operated. Stamprunout detector switch S32 and contact K11-1 are shunted by KS3-3 whenoperated.

When any one of the dials 46, 47 and 48 is moved from its normal or restposition, the dispenser solenoid of the corresponding dispenser isconnected to buss B5. Relays K24, KZS and K31 perform this function.Relay K24 has four contacts K241 to K24-4; relay K28 has four contacts,K28-1 to K28-4; and relay K31 has three contacts, K31-1 to K31-3. Oneside of relay K24 is connectible to buss B8 through contacts K30-2,K27-2 and K09-2 and switch S30. The other side of relay K24 is connectedto buss B3 through contacts K27-3, K30-3 and switch D1-2 when shifted.One side of relay K28 is connectible to buss B8 through contacts K30-4,K23-3, K10-1. and switch S31, and the other side of K28 is connectibleto buss B3 through contacts K30-5, and K23-4 14 and switch D2-2 whenshifted. One side of relay K31 is connectible to buss B8 throughcontacts K27-5, K235, K11-1 and switch S23 when shifted; and the otherside of relay K31 is connectible to buss B3 through K27-6, K23-6 andswitch D3-2 when shifted.

Switch means are also provided for permitting only a single dial controlto be eliective for operating its corresponding stamp dispenser afterthat dial control has been initially started and until that' dialcontrol is returned to its normal or rest position and all the otherdials are similarly returned to their normal or rest positions. A numberof latching type relays, K23, K27 and K30 are provided for this purposeand each of these relays has a latching coil K23L, K27-L and K30-Lrespectively, a releasing relay coil K23-R, K27-R and K30R, and aconventionally styled mechanical latching mechanism for holding therelay contacts in shifted position after the latching relay coil isde-energized and-for releasing the relay contacts to permit returnthereof to their normal position upon energization of the releasingrelay coil. Latching relay K23 has six contacts, K23-1 to K23-6;latching relay K27 has six contacts K27-1 to K27-6; and latching relayK30 has six contacts K30-1 to K30-6. Latching relay coil K23-L isconnected in parallel relation with relay K24; latching relay coil K27-Lis connected in parallel relation with relay K28; and latch relay coilK30-L is connected in parallel relation with relay K31. Relay coil K23-Ris connectible at one side to buss B8 through contact K23-2 whenoperated and contact K24-1, and is normally connected -at the other sidethereof to buss B3 through switches D3-1 and D2-2. One side of relaycoil K27-R is connectible to buss B8 through contact K27-4 when operatedand K28-1, and the other side thereof is normally connected to buss B3through contacts D1-1 and D3-2. One side of releasing coil K30-R isconnectible to buss B8 through contact K30-6 when operated and K31-1 andthe other side of releasing coil K30-R is connected to buss B3 throughcontacts D2-1 and D1-2. The locking relay K23, K27 and K30 provideswitch controls for their respective switches or contacts which aredisposed in series relation with the dial interrupters of the otherdials and with the latching relays associated with the other dials.

Releasing relay coil K05-R of relay K05 which requires that a stamp bepurchased before change can be had, is connected -at one side to buss B3and is connectible at the other side through contact K05-3 when operatedto buss B8 through any one of three circuits in a manner identical tothe connection of pulse relay K25, that is, through either interrupterswitch D1, D2 or D3.

The stamp runout relays K26, K29 and KS2 each have four contacts, K26-1to K26-4, K29-1 to K29-4, and K32-1 to K324 respectively. K26 isconnected directly to buss B1 and is connected to buss B8 throughtransfer contacts K26-4 and stamp runout detector switch S30. Relay K29is connected directly to buss B1 and is connected to buss B8 throughtransfer contacts K29-4 and stamp runout detector switch S31. Relay K32is connected directly to buss B1 and is connected to buss B8 throughtransfer contacts KS2-4 and stamp detector runout switch S32. Of coursethese stamp runout relays will usually be de-energized because switchesS30, S31 and S32 will usually be in their shifted position due to thepresence of stamps in their dispensers. If any of the stamp runoutrelays K26, K29, and KS2 have been operated, the corresponding stamprunout detector switch S30, S31 or S32 is shunted by the holding ortransfer contacts K26-4, K29-4 or K32-4. v

Subtract pulse relay KS3 is connected at one side of buss B1 and isconnectible to buss B8 through contact K25-3. Relay K33 has fourcontacts KS3-1 to KS3-4. The stop solenoids EM07 and EMOS which operateabutment pins 154 and 155 respectively for limiting movement of the stoparm 150, and subtract solenoid EM09 which operates pawl 142 for rotatingregister wheel 75 l counterclockwise and thereby' subtractingvcredit,`areall connected at one side to buss B1. Solenoids EM07, BMGSand EM09 are connectible to buss B8 through contacts K24-3, K28-3, KS3-4respectively.

e solenoids for counters CTRGI to CTR03 are all connected at one side tobuss B1 and are connectible to buss B8 through contacts X24-4, K28-4 andX31-3 respectively when operated, and through K25-2 when operated.

A light 204 which indicates to the person in charge of maintaining themachine that service is required is connected at one side to buss B1 andis connectible at the other side to buss B2 through one or more ofcontacts K26-2, K29-2, K32-2, and K20-3. Lights 49, 50, 51, 52 and 53,which are visible in the front control panel 43 f the machine, as seenin Fig. 1, are respectively connectible through contacts K09-1, K20-4,K26-3, K29'-3 and KS2-3 to the secondary of transformer 205, the primaryof which is directly connected to busses B1 and B2.

Counter CTR04 is connected at one side to buss B1 and is connectible atthe other side to buss B2 through contact KOS4 when operated.

Manual reset switch S normally interconnects busses B2 and B4. Therelease coil .R04-R of the excess coin reject relay H04 is connected atone side of buss B1 and is normally connected through contacts K05-1 andmicroswitch S08 to buss BS. Switch S08, which is shown in its normal orreset position as held by register wheel 75 when in its Zero or resetposition, is shifted by a spring connected integrally therein when theregister wheel 75 moves from its normal or rest position and releasesthe control arm 82a' thereof. Switch S08 assumes the position shown inFig. 14, only after the register wheel 75 has returned to a position ofless than one cent credit in the machine, that is, switch S08'isreturned to normal condition by the abutment 79 when the register wheel75 is between its normal or rest position and its one cent creditposition. Considering switch S03 in its relation to the entire circuit,the contacts thereof are considered to be in their normal or restposition when in the position shown in Fig. 14 and `are in shiftedposition when shifted from the position shown in Fig. 14.

The register reset solenoid EM06 which turns the register wheel 75 backto its zero position during the nalstages of the operation of themachine, is connected at one side Vto buss B1 and is connectible at theother sidethereof to buss B6 through contacts X21-2 when operated. Theregister reset control relay K21, which has six contacts K21-1 to K21-6,is connected at one side to buss B1 and'is connectible to buss B8through microswitch S08 when shifted and through contact X21-3 whenoperated or through contacts KGS-3 and K22-4 when both are operated.

The change mechanism control relay X22, which has seven contacts K224ito K22-7, is connected to buss 'B1 through contacts Kill-4, K23-1,K27-1, KSB-1 and KOS-2 and is connectible to buss B8 through transferv vOperation Considering only the control panel, 43 and the manual controlstherein, as viewed by a stamp purchaser, a coin must lirst be insertedinto the coin slot 45. Y If the machine has previously been at rest anda nickel is inserted, light 50 will go on within a fraction of, a`second to indicate that stamps may be dialed. The. purchaser mayoperate eitherof dials 46 or 47 to obtain either two or three centstamps. if he dials 2 on dial 46 he will receive twoftwo-cent stampsthrough the slot 118. Because he has Ataken four cents value there isonly one cent credit leftin the machine, and because one cent is notsuicient to make another' purchase, his one cent change will be returnedto him without need for further manual operation. If he had dial l ondial 47 he would have received one three-cent stamp through slot 119.Two cents credit would have remained in the machine,V and he would havean option then to purchase either one two-cent stamp or take his change.Ifhe desires his change he will press the change button 44, whereupontwo pennies will be returned. It the machine runs out of three-centstamps after he hastaken his purchase, indicator 52 will light up toindicate to the purchaser that he may not receive anotherl three-centstamp. Upon receiving his two pennies change, Yif one of the penny tubesis exhausted, indicator 49 Will light up, which indicates change isexhausted and the'machine may not be operated again. Obviously afterinserting only a nickel, operation of dial 48 is ineffective because sixcents credit is necessary to buy a six-cent stamp.

After inserting the nickel the purchaser may insert another coin but thesecond coin will be rejected out of the machine and will not operate toset up any credit therein until all of the credit set up by the rst coinis used, either by taking stamps or change. If the change button 44 ismanually operated immediately after inserting `a coin into the machine,no change may be had because it is necessary that at least one stamp bepurchased before change may be had.

In the operation of the machine all of the dials must be at rest whenone of the dials is operated to cause stamps to be dispensed. -In otherwords, if one of the dials is moved, from its normal position, and Vthenthe purchaser seeks to obtain stamps by operating a second dial, theoperation of the second dial is ineffective and no stamps due to thisoperation of the second dial will be dispensed. A

In the following paragraphs the detailed operation of the vendingmachine is described in connection with the circuit diagram, Fig. 14primarily. When the machine is supplied with stamps in each of thedispensers and is supplied with coins in each of the coin tubes, andwhen power is supplied to terminal 203, the machine is in condition foroperation. The stamp runout detector switches S30, S31 and S32 are movedto their shifted positions. The coin runout detector switches S22-S29are shiftedV and opened due to coins in the tubes.V Switch S08 is heldby the register wheel in the position shown in Fig. 14. 1

The excess coin reject solenoid EM01 is normally energized. Insertion ofa coin into the coin slot-45 causes momentary shifting of one of themicroswitches S02, S03 or S04. If a nickel has been inserted, switch S02is momentarily shifted to cause momentary energization of the five-centcredit relay H01. The four contacts of relay Kill shift and contactKill-l provides a holding circuit through contacts K02-1 and 1(03-1 formaintaining relay K01 energized. Contact K01-2YisV shifted to causede-energization of coin reject solenoid EMM and to cause energization ofexcess coin reject latching relay K04-L and the latching coil KGS-L ofthe forced stamp sale relay K05. De-energization of coin reject solenoidEM01 causes the coin chutes 56, 57 and 58 to be blocked olf andY causesany coins subsequently inserted into the machine to be returned to thecoin return slot. VOperation of coin reject relay K04-L vcausesoperation of X044 which assures that coin reject solenoid EM01 remainsde-energized. Kim-'2 closes to energize bussV B6, and K04-3 closes `toprepare bussBS for energization, when, after a short period of time,Kili-1 returns to its normalposition .andV will connect buss B8 to bussB2. Energization ofr the latching 'coil KtlS-L of the forced stamppurchase relay causes operation of its four contacts. KGS-1 opens topreclude energization of relay coil K04-R until astamp is` purchased.VX054?, opens to prevent energization of change relay K2?. until a stamphas been purchased to prevent change from being taken prior to thelpurchase of a stamp. -K-3 is closed to prepare the release coil KGS-Rfor energization as soon as the rst pulse is transmitted thereto by oneof the dial interrupter switches D1, D2 or D3. X05-4 is closed tooperate counter CTR04 and thereby show that another coin has beenreceived by the machine.

Contact K01-4 is closed to prepare the register gear release pawlsolenoid EMM for operation as soon as the ive cent stop is in position.The contact K01-3 closes to operate the five cent stop solenoid EM02 tocause projection of pin 80 which will permit rotation of the registerwheel 75 through only five notches relative to the ratchet teeth 78 andthereby permit only five cents credit to be registered. When the ve centstop solenoid EM02 has shifted its armature substantially to the limitof shifting thereof, microswitch S05 is closed to energize register gearrelease pawl solenoid EMM which shifts the release pawl 86 out ofrotation restricting position relative to ratchet teeth 7S and alsooperates microswitch S07 when it has substantially completed themovement of the release pawl 85.

To this point the operation of the machine would have been substantiallyidentical to that described had a dirne or quarter been inserted. If adime had been inserted switch S03 would have operated to energize theten cent credit relay K02, the operation of which is substantiallyidentical to K01 with the exception that the ten cent stop solenoid EM03would have been operated instead of ve cent stop solenoid EM02. 'Ihestop pin S1 would have shifted to permit rotation of the register wheelteeth relative to ratchet teeth 78. The release pawl would have beenshifted in -a manner identical to that described and switch S07 wouldhave been operated. If a quarter had been inserted, switch S04 wouldhave been operated to energize relay K03, the operation of' which isnearly identical to relays K02 and Kill, with the exception that no stopsolenoid is necessary because the fixed stop 82 will limit the rotationof the register wheel 75 to twenty-live notches relative to ratchetteeth 78. Again, the release pawl would have been shifted and switch S07operated.

When switch S07 is operated, start relay K06 is energized and the threecontacts thereof are operated. K06-1 closes to energize time delay relayK07. Contact K06-3 closes to prepare release K16 to K19 for energizationbut is ineifective in operation because contact K22-3 remains open untilcontact K06-3 again reopens. Contact KGS-2 closes to energize theregister credit solenoid EM05 which is operative for turning gearsegment 90 and pinion gear 89 and to cause clockwise rotation of theregister wheel 75, as seen in Fig. 6. Because a nickel has been insertedand the tive cent stop solenoid EM02 has been operated, register Wheel75 rotates through an arc proportional to the space of tive ratchetteeth 78. Movement of the register gear 75 from its normal or restposition causes shifting of microswitch S08 which assures that theexcess coin reject release coil K04-R will not be energized to permitsubsequent coins to be received even though contact KOS-1 is laterclosed, and to also prepare for energization of register reset relay KZIand change relay KZZ.

When the shaft 69 and printed circuit switch board 100 is rotated,switches S09 and S10 are closed to cause energization of relays K09 randK10. Because only a nickel has been inserted switch S11 is not closedbecause rotation of the printed circuit switch board 100 through an arcproportional to the spacing of six ratchet teeth is necessary for theclosing of this switch. Had a dime been inserted switch S11 would alsoclose. Closure of contract KS3-1 energizes light 49 indicating to theoperator that a stamp may now be purchased. Contact K09-2 closes toconnect terminal T2 of dispenser 111 to dial switch D1 to prepare pulserelay K25 for subsequent operation. Contact K09-3 opens but has noeffect upon the change relay K2?. because K05-2 opens but has no effectupon the change relay KZZ because KES-2 in series therewith has alreadybeen opened. K09-3 is effective later in the change making operation.

The time delay between the energization of and the operation of timedelay relay K0? is suicient to assure that the register wheel 75 hasrotated through the maximum arc permissible by the stop pin associatedwith the ve cent stop solenoid EM02. When relay K07 operates, thecontact K07-1 thereof closes to energize relay K08. The three contactsof relay KGS operate and contact KGS-2 opens to de-energize the registercredit solenoid EM05 which thereby removes torque from shaft 69. ContactK08-3 closes (and is associated with register reset relay K21 but isineffective at this time because of the open condition of contact K22-4.Contact KOS-1 opens to de-energize the tive cent credit relay Kill orany of the other relays K0?. or KS3 which might be alternatelyenergized. When Kill-1 is returned to normal position, buss B8 isenergized therethrough.

Contact Kili-2 returns to normal but is ineffective be-A cause contactK04-1 is holding solenoid EM01 de-energized. Contact Kill-3 reopens tode-energize the ve cent stop solenoid EM02. Contact K01-4 re-opens tode-energize the register gear release pawl solenoid EM04 which'thereuponpermits the spring 87 to return the pawl into engagement with theratchet teeth 78 and thereby preclude any further clockwise movement ofthe register wheel 75. When the release pawl solenoid EMO4 isde-energized, switch S07 is reopened to de-energize start relay R06. Thethree contacts of relay K06 return to normal positions, contact K06-3reopens but is inelective because of previous inoperation. Contact K06-2-reopens but is inefective because register credit solenoid EM05 isalready de-energized by contact K08-2. Contact KOS-1 is re-opened tode-energize time delay relay K0?. When K07-1 is re-opened relay KGS isde-energized to return the three contacts thereof to normal positionswhich have no ettect at this time because each of the circuitsassociated with these contacts have been previously de-energized.

It should be pointed out that all of the operations of the mechanismfrom the shifting of switch S02 through the operation of relay K0^5occurs substantially instantaneously, taking into consideration times ofrelay operation. The time delay relay K07 delays subsequent circuitoperation until the register wheel and printed circuit switch board havebeen rotated to their new position to cause credit to actually be setup. After time delay. relay K07 operates, a short period of time, lessthan a second, relay K08 operates to cause the circuitry connected withsetting up credit to be rapidly shut down. It will be remembered thatbuss B6 has been energized and will stay energized until release coilD04-R is energized at a later time. Because buss B8 is not energizeduntil credit is completely set up, the stamp dispensing mechanisms andthe change dispensing mechanisms may not be operated until credit hasbeen completely set up in the machine.

Credit is now set up in the machine and the printed circuit switch boardhas been rotated to operate certain of the switches S09 and S19 toprepare at least certain of change relays K12 to K19 for subsequentenergization. It should be specifically noted here that although credithas been set up change may not be had even though push button 44 isoperated to close switch S21 because change control relay KZZ isrendered inoperative by the opening of contact K05-2.

Five cents credit is available in the machine and the operator thereofnow has an option to purchase either two cent stamps or three centstamps by operating dials 46 or 47 respectively. He may not purchase siXcent stamps because switch S11 remains open as does con` tact K11-1which is associated with the dispenser 113 containing six cent stamps.Assume now that the stamp purchaser desires two cent stamps and he movesthe dial 47 to 2 and then releases it. As he moves ther dial 47 from thenormal or rest position thereof, switches D1-1 and D1-2 shift from theirnormal positions and respectively disconnect the release coil K27-R frombuss B3, and disconnect release coil K3-R from buss B3. In addition,switch D1-2 connects the latching coil K23-L and relay K24 to buss B3through contacts K30-3 and K27-3 to energize the same which are alreadyconnected to buss B8 through contacts Ktl-Z, K27-2, now closed contact1(09-2 and switch S30. Operation of relay K23-L causes operation of thesix contacts thereof. K23-3 and K23-4 open to isolate relay coils K27-Land K28 and interrupter switch D2 which is associated with dial 47contacts K23-5 and KZS- open to isolate relay coil KSG-L and K31 anddial interrupter switch D3; K23`1 opens to assure that change controlrelay K22 will not be rendered operative until the dial 46 has returnedto normal position; and contact K23-2 closes to prepare release coilK23-R for subsequent energization. Simultaneously with the energizationof release coil K23-L, relay K24 is energized to cause operation of thefour contacts thereof, contact K24-1 opening substantiallysimultaneously with the closing of K23-2 to maintain releasing coilK25-R de-energized. K24-2 closes to connect dispenser solenoid EM tobuss B5. Contact K24-3 closes to energize the two cent subtract stopsolenoid EMO? which shifts abutment pin 154 into obstructing relation inopening 151 of guide member 152. Contact K24-4 closes to prepare counterCTR01 for subsequent energization when contact K-2 is later closed.

It will be seen now that after dial 46 has been moved from its normalrest position, mechanical operation of the other dials 47 or 48 or both,is ineffective for causing any stamps to be dispensed from theirrespective disp ensers 112 and 113. Dial interrupter switches D2 and D3are precluded from receiving current from buss B8 until latching relayrelease coil K23-R is energized and this will not occur until dial 46 isreturned to its normal position so as to permit interlock switch D1-2 toreturn to its normal position and thereby de-energize K24 which will atthat time permit contact K24-1 to be closed for energizing latch relayrelease coil K23-R. Furthermore, if one of the dials 47 and 48 or both,are moved from their normal or rest positions during the operation ofdial 46, dials 47 and 48 are ineffective for causing stamps to bedispensed until after dial 46 has returned to normal or rest positionand until after both dials 47 and 48 are also returned to normal or restposition. This is caused because if either or both dials 47 and 48 aremoved from their normal rest positions, interlocking switches D3-1 andD2-2 are shifted to preclude energization of latching relay release coilK23-R until these last mentioned switches have been returned to theirnormal positions, and that will occur only when the dials 47 and 48 havereturned to their normal rest positions.

It will therefore be seen that the dial which is operated rst controlsthe dispensing of stamps until all of the dials have subsequently beenreturned to rest. Dials 47 and 48 are also provided with interlockingswitch mechanism similar to that described in connection with dial 46.If dial 47 is moved iirst from its normal or rest position, the dials 46and 48 are rendered ineffective by operation of latching relay coilK27-L and relay K28 for causing any stamps to be dispensed because thedialv interrupter switches D1 and D3 are isolated as are thecorresponding interlocking switch control relays K23-L, K24, K30-L andK31. Pulses of current may only be irplied to pulse relay K25 throughinterrupter switch Now, resuming in the description of the operation ofdialr46. When the rotary dial plate of dial 46 is stopped due to theoperators finger engaging the linger stop, the operator will remove hislinger from the aperture and the dial control plate will commencecounter-clockwise rotation as Viewed in Fig. 3 and the cam thereof,similar to cam 139 as seen in Fig. 8, will commence rotation. Beforedial 46 reaches its normal or rest position dial interrupter switch D1will have momentarily closed twice. The momentary closures ofinterrupter switch D1 will be spaced by a short period of time. Theprimary result from the rst momentary closure of interrupter switch D1is the momentary energization of pulse relay K25 which is effective tocause a single stamp to be dispensed from two cent dispenser 111. Thedetailed operation of pulse relay K25 will be by-passed for the momentand another very important operation in the present invention isdescribed.

The rst momentary closure of dial interrupter switch D1 provides a pulseof current to the forced stamp` sale relay release coil KOS-R which willbe connected to buss B8 through contact KOS-3, interrupter switch D1,relay contacts KSU-2, K27-2, KG9-2 and switch S30. The four contacts ofrelay KOS will thereupon resume their normal positions. Contacts K05-ddo nothing immediately but close to prepare excess coin reject relayrelease coil IGM-R for subsequent energization when switch S08 returnsto normal position. Contact KOS-2 does nothing immediately but preparechange relay K22 for subsequent energization when manual control switchS21 is closed. Contact KOS-3 will open to again deenergize the forcedstam-p sale relay release coil KGS-R. The de-energizing of release K05-Rdoes not aifect the contacts of the latching relay K05 but merelypermits the mechanical linkage mechanism of the latching relay K05 tohold the contacts in their positions for subsequent operation by thelatching coil thereof. Contacts K05-4 reopen to again de-energizecounter CTR04. It will be seen that the rst pulse of current providedfor causing a stamp to dispense also releases the change mechanism sothat change may subsequently be had. Pulses of current subsequent to therst pulse need not be, and are not, applied to the forced stamp salerelay release coil KOS-R.

Pulse relay K25 is connected to buss B8 through dial interrupter switchin the same manner in which relay KGS-R was connected. When pulse relayK25 is energized the Vthree contacts thereof are momentarily closed forthe duration of the pulse of current applied to the relay. Momentaryclosing of contacts K25-1 momentarily energizes buss B5 and dispensersolenoid BMZ() which shifts the armature thereof to rotate the stampcontrol wheel or drive element 126 yand cause a two cent stamp to bedispensed. Contact K25-1 will irnmediately reopen to de-energize buss B5and solenoid EM20. lt will be remembered that solenoid EM20 hadpreviously been connected to buss B5 but closure of contact X24-2 whenrelay K24 was energized at the time dial 46 was moved from its normal orrest position. Contact K24-2 will stay closed until dial 46 returns toits normal or rest position. Contact K25-2 momentarily closes and thenreopens to operate counter CTRI. Contacts K253 close momentarily toconnect subtract pulse relay X33 and to cause momentary operation of thecontacts thereof. The most important contact of this relay is K33-4which momentarily closes to energize the subtract pawl drive solenoidEMM which, as seen-in Fig. 6, shifts its armature inwardly to cause pawl142 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction until the stop arm 15)strikes the abutment pin 154 which had previously been projected intoobstructing relation in opening 151 ofvguide member 152. It will beremembered thatfthis stop pin 154 was shifted into obstructingpositionwhen dial 46 vwas Vinitially moved from its normal rest positionand that abutment pin 154 remains in.

obstructing position until dial 46 again returns to its normal or restposition. Contacts X33-2 and KS3-3 closed do nothing at this tunebecause they are isolated. Contact K33-1 momentarily closes and shuntscontact K09-2 and stamp runout detector switch S30 for the purpose ofassuring that pulse relay K25 is not disconnected from buss B8 until thedial interrupter switch D1 opens. Dial interrupter switch D1 is therebymaintained in control and if stamps should run out during the middle ofa pulse to cause switch S30 to open, or if the printed circuit switchboard 100 should be immediately turned due to action of Subtract pawldrive solenoid EM09 to cause switch S09 to de-energize relay K09 andthereby open contact E09-2, which is shunted by contact KS3-., a pulseapplied to the pulse relay K25 will not be cut short. Furthermore,because relay contact K33-1 shunts the stamp runout switch S30, it isassured that the relay coils K24 and K23-L will remain energized untilthe dial has returned to its zero or rest position.

As the dial 46 continues in a counter-clockwise position toward itsnormal or rest position, dial interrupter switch D1 will openmomentarily to de-energize pulse relay K25 and will thereaftermomentarily reclose to again supply pulses of current to pulse relayK25. Upon receiving the second pulse of current the stamp dispensersolenoid EM will again be operated to cause another stamp to be vendedbecause buss B5 is again momentarily energized by contacts K-1. 11naddition, the subtract pawl drive solenoid EM09 will again be operatedto shift the subtract pawl 142 and cause register wheel 75 to be rotatedin counter-clockwise direction through an 'arc proportional to the spaceof two ratchet teeth 78.

When dial 46 has again reached its normal or rest position interlockingswitch D1-1 recloses but does nothing at this time. In additioninterlocking switch -Dl-Z reshifts to its normal position to preparerelease coil KSO-R for subsequent energization and also disconnectsrelay K24 and latching coil K23-L from buss B3. The four contacts ofrelay K24 are returned to normal position, and contact K24-i recloses toenergize latching relay release coil K23-R which is connected to buss B8through contacts K23-2 and K24-1 and is connected to buss B3 throughswitches D3-1 and D2-2. After coil K23-R is energized the contactsassociated with the latch relay K23 shift to normal positions andcontact K23-2 immediately opens to Iagain de-energize coil K23-R, andContact K23-1 recloses to prepare change relay K22 for subsequentenergization. The remainder of the contacts of relay K23, that iscontacts K23-3, K23-4, K23-5 and K23-6, reclose to prepare dials 47 and4S and their corresponding interrupter switches D2 and D3 for subsequenteiective operation. It should be remembered that release coil K23-Rwould not have been energized by closure of contact K24-1 had either ofthe interlocking switches D3-1 or D22 had been shifted due lto movementof dials 47 and 48 away from their normal position, in which event coilKZS-R would have been energized by one of these last mentioned switcheswhen both had been returned to normal position.

The remaining contacts of relay K24 reopen, Contact K24-2 disconnectingsolenoid Eli/120 from buss B5, and contact X24-3 disconnecting the twocent stop solenoid EM07 from buss B8 and thereby de-energizing thatsolenoid and permitting the abutment pin 154 thereof to be retracted outof obstructing relation from the opening 151. `Contact X24-4 alsore-opens to prevent further energization of counter CTRO-1.

From the five cent credit that had previously been in the machine, thevalue of four cents has been subtracted by moving the register wheel 7Sthrough an arc proportional to the spacing of four ratchet teeth leavingone cent credit in the machine. Because no purchase Assume for themoment that the machine had previously had ten cents credit therein andthat the four cent credit subtracted due to the `dispensing of two twocent stamps, leaves a credit in the machine of six cents. The operatorof the machine now has an option to either take his change or topurchase more stamps. With six cents credit remaining he may Atake up tothree two cent stamps, two three cent stamps or one six cent stamp. lfthe operator chooses to take three cent stamps he may operate dial 47which will cause dispenser solenoid EM21 to be connected to buss BS andwill cause the three cent solenoid EMS to be energized to cause abutmentpin 55 to be projected into obstructing relation operating dial 4S, dialinterrupter switch D3 supplied the pulses to pulse relay K25, Dispensersolenoid EM22 would have been connected to buss B5 for operation. In thecase of six cent stamps, the stationary abutment pin 156, as viewed inFig. 6, will limit the movement of stop arm and pawl 142. Furthermore,if a six cent stamp were taken the register wheel 75 would again returnto its normal or rest position causing all of the switches S99 to S19 toreopen and thereby precluding any further energization of the changedispense solenoids EMIZ to EM19 and also disconnecting each of thedispensers from their corresponding dial interrupters at contacts K09-2,K10-1 and K11-1, so as to prevent energization of pulse relay K25. |Thedetails of operation when the register wheel 75 returns to zero ornormal position will be explained more fully hereinafter.

If, instead of taking more stamps, when the machine has six cents credittherein, the operator thereof decides to take his change, he will pressthe manual control button 44 on the control panel to close switch S21and energize change relay K22, which is connected to buss B1 by contactsKZl-Li, K23-1, K27-1, K30-1 and K5-2 and which is connected to buss B8through transfer holding contacts KZZ-S, manual switch S21 and switchS08. Because it is herein assumed that six cents credit remains, it willbe remembered that the printed circuit board switch S09 is closed, relayK09 is energized and contact Kim-3 which shunts manual control switchS21, is open. The seven contacts of change relay K22 are operated. Itwill be remembered that because only six cents credit remains in themachine, one ofthe switches S12 to S15 is closed to render one of thepenny dispenser control relays K12 to K15 operable; and it will furtherbe remembered that one of the switches S16 to S19 is also closed torender one of the nickel dispensing control relays Kl to K19 operable.the machine will shortly thereafter receive one nickel and one pennychange. The details of this operation are bypassed and will be clariedhereinafter.

Going back to the actual condition of the machine after rlve centscredit had been set up and four cents credit had been removed, one centcredit is now remaining which is insuiiicient for making a purchase. Oneof the switches S12 to S15 is still closed and the remainder of theswitches S09 to S19 are open. Therefore one of the change dispensingsolenoids EM12 to EMIS is operable.

The operator of1 Y In" addition, the counter-clockwise rotation ofregister wheel 75 has turned the printed circuit switch board 100suiciently to again reopen switches S69 to S11 and to deenergize relaysK09 to K11. The contacts K09-2, K-1 and K11-1 are reopened to disconnectdial interrupter switches D1, D2 and D3 respectively from buss B8 andthereby preclude operation of the pulse relay K25. Contact K09-1 reopensto deenergize the dial indicator light 49. K09-3 recloses, shuntingswitch S08 and manual control switch S21 thereby energizing change relayK22 which is then connected to buss B1 as previously described and isconnected to buss B8 through transfer holding contact K22-S and contactK09-3. The result here is actuation of the change mechanism withoutnecessitating manual control by the operator of the machine. The sevencontacts of change relay K22 close. Contact K22-S shifts to shuntcontact K09-3 and thereby holding relay K22 energized. K22-2 closes toconnect penny solenoid control relays K12 to K1S to buss B1 and renderone of these energized for operating one of the corresponding pennydispensing solenoids EMIZ to EMIS. The armature of the solenoid isshifted to shift the stripper plate and move a penny contained in theaperture thereof into alignment with the coin receiving aperture vin theunderlying guide plate and thereby permit the penny to drop into thecoin chute 184 to be returned at the coin return opening S9 in the frontpanel. Contact K22-3 closes to prepare for connection by contact K06-3of relays K16 to K19 to buss B1. Contact K22-4 closes to prepareregister reset relay K21 for subsequent operation. Contact K22-6 opensto disconnect buss B3 from buss B1. Contact K22*1 closes to connectstart relay K06 to buss B6. Contact K22-7 opens to disconnect registercredit solenoid EMS from buss B1. Relay K06 is operated and the threecontacts thereof are shifted. Contact K06-1 is closed to connect timedelay relay K07 to buss B6 and thereby commence operation of the timedelay relay K07 which subsequently shifts the contact thereof after anelapse of time. Contact K06-2 closes, but is ineffective to energizeregister credit solenoid EMOS because contact K22-7 is open. K06-3closes to connect nickel dispensing control relays K16 to K19 to buss B1through contact K22-3.

If one of the switches S16 to S19 were closed one of the relays K16 toK19 would have been energized to cause energization of a correspondingnickel stripping solenoid EM16 to EM19. It should be noted that thepenny dispensing relays are operated directly by change relay K22 by thecontact K22-2, and it should further be noted that the energization ofrelay Kin to K19 is delayed subsequent to the operation of K22, thelength of time necessary for relay KG6 to operate and close the contactK06-3 thereof. This spreads out the operation of the coin dispensingsolenoids EM12 to EM19 over a short period of time so that only four ofthese solenoids are energized simultaneously and then four more aresubsequently energized simultaneously. The peak power requirements forenergizing the coin dispensing solenoids is thereby substantiallyreduced.

v After a short period of time to assure that all of the change has beendispensed by operation of the change solenoids, the contact of timedelay relay KB7 is closed. Closure of contact KfW-1 connects relay KGSto buss B6 to cause energization of relay KGS and a correspondingshifting of the three contacts thereof. KtS-l opens but is inoperativebecause relays Kel, KS2 and KOS are already de-energized. Contact KGS-2opens, but is inoperative because solenoid EMOS is disconnected frombuss B1 by contact K22-7. Contact KGS-3 closes to connect register resetrelay K21 to buss B8 through contacts K22-4, KOS-3 and switch S08. RelayK21 is energized to operate the six contacts thereof. Contact K213 isclosed to shunt contacts KGS-'3 and KZZA and thereby provide a holdingcircuit Yfor register reset relay K21. KZl-l opens to precludeenergization of the coin return out detector switch depressed.

solenoid EMO 1 until the register wheel 7S has been completely resetback to its normal position. Contact K21-S opens to maintain buss B3disconnected from buss B1, thereby precluding dialing. Contact K21-6 isopen to preclude energization of .register credit solenoid EMG-S.Contact K21-2 closes to connect register reset solenoid EMG to buss B6and thereby start the resetting of register wheel 75, that is to startrotating register wheel 75 in a counter-clockwise direction toward itsnormal or rest position. Solenoid EMi' drives the gear segment `90 torotate pinion gear 819 which in turn rotates shaft 69 having theregister Wheel 75 and the printed circuit switch board aflixed thereto.K21-4 opens to disconnect change relay K22 from buss B1 to causereshifting of the six contracts .thereof back to their normal positions.

Contact K22-4 reopens but is ineffective because it is shunted byholding contact K21-3. K22-S shifts to normal and disconnects relay K22from buss BS thereby breaking the holding circuit for relay K22. ContactK22-6 recloses but is ineffective for re-energizing buss B3 becausecontact K21-S remains open. K22-2 reopens to disconnect the pennydispenser control relays K12 to K16 from buss B1 thereby de-energizingthe same and causing penny dispensing solenoids EM12 to EMIS to bede-energized. The yarmatures of these solenoids and their correspondingstripper plates will then be retracted by the tension spring associatedtherewith and another penny will fall into the coin receiving opening inthe stripper plate to prepare for subsequent discharging of another coinand for holding the feeler of the Coin run- Contact K22-3 reopens todisconnect nickel dispenser control relays K16 to K19 from buss B1 andthereby cause the corresponding nickel dispensing solenoids EM16 to EM19to be de-energized. The stripper plates associated with these solenoidswill also be returned to normal positions. Contact K22-1 reopens todisconnect relay K06 from buss B6 and thereby de-energize Kti causingthe three contacts thereof to return to normal position. Contact K22-7recloses but is ineffective for connecting register credit solenoid EMOSto buss B1 because K21-6 remains open.

Contact K06-2 reopens but is ineifective because register creditsolenoid EMS is already disconnected from buss B1. Contact K06-3 reopensbut is ineffective for controlling relays K16 to K19 because contactK22-3 has already disconnected said relays from Ibuss B1. Contact K06-1reopens to de-energize time delay relay R07 and cause the contact K07-1thereof to open and thereby disconnect relay Ktl from buss B6.De-energization of relay K08 causes the three contacts thereof to shiftto normal positions.

Contact KS-l recloses to connect the credit relays Kill, K02 and K03 tobuss B1 and thereby prepare those relays to be energized again whenanother coin is received. Contact KGS-2 recloses but is ineffective tooperate register credit solenoid BMGS because buss B6 has already beendisconnected therefrom by reopening of contact K06-2. KGS-3 is reopenedbut is ineffective to vcontrol register reset relay K21 because holdingcontact K21-3 remains closed for Vconnecting the relay to buss B8.

While relays K22, K06 and K have been disconnected the register resetsolenoid BMGS has been rotating the register wheel 7S in acounter-clockwise direction toward its normal or rest position. When theregister wheel 7S approaches its normal or rest position, the abutment79 engages the feeler of microswitch S38 to reshift the same to normalposition. By the time microswitch S08 has been shifted to its normalposition, ail of the change ydue to the purchaser has been returned, theprinted circuit switch board 100 has been substantially returned to itsnormal or rest position so as to open all of the switches S09 to S19 andthe register wheel 75 has been substantially returned to normalposition. The office of switch S08 is to return the electrical circuitryof the magardera 25 chine to normal condition so that another coin maybe received for again setting up credit for a subsequent stamppurchaser.

Shifting of swdtch S68 to normal position energizes the excess coinreject relay release coil K04-R, and deenergizes register reset relayK21. The three contactsV of relay R04 are returned to normal position.K04-2 reopens to disconnect buss B6 from buss B2 and therebyde-energizes register reset solenoid EM06. Contact K64-3 reopens tocie-energize -buss B8 which causes deenergization of excess coin rejectrelay release coil Kiki-R. Contact KS4-1 recloses to connect excess coinreject solenoid EMM to buss B1 through contacts KIM-1, K21-1, KZt-,Kili-2, Rs2-2, K3-2 and parallel connected contacts 1/26-1, K25-1 andKS2-1. Excess coin reject solenoid EMM is thereby energized and the coinobstructing fingers 6?, 21, and 62 are retracted out of obstructingrelation from the coin chutes 56, 57 and 58 to thereby permit a coin tobe inserted into the machine. As long as the main power switch S01 isclosed, solenoid EMtl is'energized, at least until another coin isinserted into the machine.

When register reset relay X21 is de-energized by switch S98, the sixcontacts thereof shift to their normal positions substantiallysimultaneously with the shifting of the contacts of relay 1G14 to theirnormal positions. Contact 1(21-1 recloses substantially simultaneouslywith contact K04-1 to complete the circuit between solenoid EM01 andbuss B1. Contact K21-2 is reopened to disconnect register reset solenoidEMt from buss B6, but is ineffective because buss B6 is alsode-energized by operation of KS4-2. Contact K21-3 reopens to break theholding circuit for relay X21. Contact K21-4 recloses to again connectchange mechanism control relay K22 to buss B1 for subsequent operationin another operational cycle. Contact K21-5 recloses to again connectbuss B3 to buss B1 and thereby prepare buss B3 for another cycle ofoperation. Contact R21-6 recloses to again connect solenoid EMSS to bussB1 for subsequent energization by closure of contact 2036-2.

The vending machine is now 'in completely reset condition and is adaptedto receive another coin for another similar cycle of operating.

If, during the operational cycle of the machine, the supply of stamps inone of the dispensers 111, 112 and 113 is exhausted, the stamp runoutdetector switch such as switch S31 will shift to its normal position asseen in the circuit diagram. In Fig. 9 the feeler 129 will be permittedto shift into the annular groove 128 in wheel 126 to cause operation ofthe switch S31. Shifting of switch S31 causes teh interrupter switch D2to be disconnected from buss B8 and the dial 47 is thereby renderedinoperative for supplying current pulses to pulse relay K25. Inaddition, the shifting of switch S31 connects the number 2 stamp runoutcontrol relay K29 to be connected to buss B8 through transfer holdingcontacts K29-4. The four contacts of relay K29 operate and contact K29-1opens but is inoperative for holding excess coin reject solenoid EM01de-energized because it is shunted by contacts K26-1 and KS2-1, whichare operated by the number 1 and number 3 dispenser runout controlrelays K26 and K32 respectively. Transfer holding contact K29-4 shiftsto connect relay K29 directly to buss B4 to shunt switch S31. ContactK29-3 closes to energize stamp runout light 52 which is illuminated onthe front control panel to indicate to stamp purchasers that the threecent dispenser 112 is exhausted of stamps.

K29-2 closes to energize service indicator light 204 t0 indicate to theperson in charge of maintaining the machine that service is required.Operation of relays K26 and K32 is substantially identical to theoperation of relay K29. The machine remains operative for dispensingstamps, of course with the exception that stamps of the exhausteddenomination cannot be purchased. When all of the stamps have beenexhausted, excess coin 4 26 w v reject solenoid EM01 is disconnectedfrom bussl B1 bes cause all of the relays K26, K29 and KS2 have openedand contacts K26-1, K29-`1 and KS2-1 have opened. The machine will notaccept coins for setting up credit when all the stamps are exhausted andany coins inserted into the machine will be directly returned.

If the supply of coins in one of the coin tubes 166 to 173 of thechange-making mechanism becomes exhausted, such as in tube 171,corresponding microswitch S24 shifts to its normal position to connectout-of-change relay K20 with buss B2. through transfer hold contactK20-2 and switch S24. When K20 is energized the four contacts thereofare shifted. Transfer holding contact K20=2 operates to disconnectswitch S24 from relay K20 and connect relay K20 to buss B4. ContactK20-1 opens to de-energize the excess reject solenoid EM01 to assurethat no more coins will be accepted by the vending ma chine for settingup credit thereafter. Contact K20-4 closes to illuminate indicator 50which is visible on the cycle and the coin runout detector switch S24will operate to energize relay K20 which opens contact K20-1 for holdingthe coin reject solenoid EM01 well before contact K04-1 of the excesscoin reject relay K04 is reclosed. Therefore, the excess coin rejectsolenoid EM01 will be continuously de-energized during the operationalcycle during which change becomes exhausted, and thereafteruntil thesupply of coins has been replenished.

It should be noted that each of the relay and solenoidw coils in thecircuit may be shunted by discharging resistors to assure rapiddischarge of the elds of the coils. It will be remembered that in thedescription of the operation of the machine herein reference has beenmadel to two cent, three cent and six cent stamps. It may be desired todispense other stamp denominations, such as in the case that certainpostal rates are changed. If it is desired to discontinue the vending ofthree cent stamps and to substitute four cent stamps instead, themachine described herein may be readily and easily adjusted. The

abutment pin must be moved to another ofthe apertures in the guidingmember 152, and asis viewed in Figs.

6 and 7, the pin 155 must be moved to the right, To

accomplish this, mounting member 158 will be loosened to permit pin 155to be removed from block 152. Pin.

155 will be shifted slightly to the right into the next ad- -jacentnotch 161 and into the corresponding aperture of block 152. Mountingmember 158 will again be fixed to the armature 157 of solenoid EM07.Therefore when dial 47 is operated, solenoid EM08 will shift abutmentpin 155 into obstructing relation so as to stop arm 150 after pawl 142has engaged the ratchet teeth 78 and turned through an arc equal to thespacing of 'four` ratchet teeth 78 and thereby turn the register Wheel75 through an arc proportional to the spacing of four ratchet teeth forrotating the printed circuit switch board i 100, and thereby subtractfour cents credit from the machine.

Similarly if dispenser 111 is to carry three cent stamps instead of twocent stamps, the abutment pin 154, as

wheel 75 to rotate through an are proportional to the spacing of threeratchet teeth 78 each time the pulse relay K25 is operated due to themanual manipulation ofV dial 46.

If the dispenser 113 is to dispense eight cent stampsA mit movement ofstop arm l150, pawl Y142 and register.

wheel 75 though an arc proportional to the spacing of eight ratchetteeth 78 and thereby cause eight cents credit to be subtracted each timethe pulse relay K25 is operated due to the operation of dial 48.

If the stamp denominations are changed and the adjustments suggested aremade, 'the operation of the machine will be substantially identical tothat previously described. In addition, when the stamp denominations arechanged, the switch fingers 100:1 as viewed in Fig. will be shifted fromtheir position shown so as to change the operation of switches S09, S10and S11 to correspond with the new denominations of stamps :to bedispensed. It will be remembered that in the case of two cent, threecent and six cent stamps, switches S09, S10 and S11 were closed from thetwo cent to twenty-tive cent positions of register wheel 75, three centto twentylive cent positions and six cent to twenty-five cent positionsrespectively. It will also be remembered that the primary function ofswitches S09, S10 and S11 is to energize Vrelays K09 to K11 and operatethe contacts K09-2, Ktand K11-1, which connect buss B8 to the dialinterrupter switches D1, D2 and D3 respectively and render the sameoperable for subsequent dial operation. lf the new denominations ofstamps as suggested are three cent, four cent and eight cent, then theswitches S09, S10 and S11 will be closed through the positions threecents to twenty-five cents, four cents to twenty-live cents and eightcents to twenty-tive cents respectively.

' It will be seen that we have provided in a vending machine new andimproved credit subtracting mechanism wherein individually shiftablestop pins restrict operaftion of the subtracting mechanism so as tocause correct subtraction of credit in response to vending of articlesand which stop pins are readily and easily adjustable whereby to varythe credit subtracted with each operation of the subtracting mechanismand thereby permit the prices at which articles are sold to be changed.

It will also be apparent that we have provided new and improvedmechanism for controlling the operation of the dial controls of thedispensing mechanism whereby to assure that only a single dial isoperative to cause dispensing of articles at any one time and that noneof the dials are effective to cause dispensing of articles until afterall of the dials have returned to their zero or stationary positions.

It should also. be noted that we have provided in an improved vendingmachine, mechanism for .dispensing the proper amount of change to theoperator of the machine without necessitating manual control on his partwhen insufiicient credit remains in the machine to make an additionalpurchase of articles.

It should also be observed that we have provided in a coin operatedvending machine, new and improved apparatus for permitting a toll to betaken each time a coin is received.

lt will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, detail, arrangement and vproportion of the kparts withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention which consists of the matterdescribe herein and set forth in the appended claims. Y

What is claimed is:

l. In a coin-operated vending machine, the combination with a creditmechanism and a dispensing mechanism, of apparatus for subtractingcredit from the credit` ing element for moving 4the same, said drivingmeans also being responsive to operation of the dispensing mechan ism tobe operated thereby when an article is vended, a stop arm secured tosaid driving element =to be shifted thereby, control means for limitingthe movement of said stop arm and of said driving element, said controlmeans including a guide member Xed to said frame adjacent said stop armand having an elongated opening therein positioned for receiving saidstop arm therein when the same is shifted, said guide member having aplurality of apertures therein intersecting said opening and beingspaced from each other in the directionV of movement of said stop arm, aplurality' of abutment pins each being removably carried in a respectiveaperture in said guide member and being movable to other of saidapertures, one of said abutment pins being stationary and the other ofsaid abutment pins being disposed between said stationary pin and saidstop arm and also being retractible out of said opening and out ofobstructing relation relative to the movement of said stop arm, aplurality of solenoids on the frame and each having an armature withmeans for mounting a respective retractible abutment pin at any of aplurality of positions along said guide for shifting the pin in acertain aperture and into and out of the opening at a desired positionto limit movement of the stop arm, and each of said solenoids beingconnected with said dispensing mechanism to be selectively operatedthereby when an article of a particular variety is vended for shiftingthe corresponding abutment pin to said guide member opening and intoobstructing relation relative to the movement of said stop arm, wherebywhen the selling price of articles is changed, said abutment pins may beshifted to change the amount of credit subtracted when an article isvended.

2. In a coin machine for vending various articles, the combination of aframe, a coin receiving and retaining mechanism carried by said frame,credit mechanism carried by said frame and connected in controlledrelation with said receiving mechanism for registering creditproportional .to the value of a coin received, controllable articledispensing mechanism for selectively vending articles of a desiredvariety, said dispensing mechanism being connected in controlledrelation with said credit mechanism and being constructed and arrangedto be rendered operable in response to registration of credit in thecredit mechanism, credit subtracting mechanism carried by said frame`and connected in controlling relation with said credit mechanism forremoving credit therefrom when an article is dispensed, and said creditsubtracting mechanism also being connected in controlled relationV withsaid dispensing mechanism to be operated thereby, change makingmechanism carried by said frame and connected in controlled relationwith said credit mechanism and being constructed and arranged fordischarging coins proportional in value to the credit rcmaining in saidcredit mechanism, means reponsive to operation of said coin receivingmechanism for locking the change making mechanism in inoperativecondition to prevent discharge of coins, and means responsive tooperation of the dispensing mechanism and vending of an article for.releasing the change making mechanism and permitting operation thereofand a manual control connected with said change making mechanism forenergizing the same, whereby after a coin has been inserted into themachine, change may be had only after at least one article has beenvended.

3. In a coin machine for dispensing various'articles, the combination ofcoin receiving mechanism, credit mechanism connected4 in controlledrelation with said coin receiving mechanism for registering creditproportional to the value of a coin received, dispensing mechanismconnected in controlled relation with said credit mechanismrto berendered operable thereby in response to registration of credit therein,saidV dispensing mechanism including at least rtwo electricallyYoperated arti-

